BESSEMER,
Alabama -- The Legacy YMCA in Bessemer is giving area businesses a chance to
help support the Y's youth programs while also providing their employees with a
fun, outdoor activity.

Legacy
will host its Corporate Games charity event on Thurs., Oct. 24, from noon-6
p.m.

There
will be a dozen events in the Corporate Games, including a one-mile fun run, an
egg toss, an obstacle course, Frisbee Chaos and Hula Hoop it up.

Proceeds
to register a team will help Legacy support its third-grade swim and water
safety program and seventh-grade free membership initiative.

The
Olympic-style, co-ed team competition is meant to celebrate wellness in the
workplace while increasing employee morale and emphasizing team building and
communication, according to a Legacy news release.

And you
don't have to be a hard-core jock to participate, according to Legacy spokesperson
Elaine Lyda.

"They
don't have to be athletic or be in great shape," she said. "We're not trying to scare people off. They can be a kid again and have
fun with it. It's a chance to get out of the office and do something different
and help a non-profit."

The
members of the 1st-place team will receive 6 months membership to Legacy, as
well as rights to hold the Legacy Cup Trophy for one year.

The
2nd- and 3rd-place teams will also get awards, and there will be a team spirit
award.

"The
event is done at other YMCAs in the United States, and they are very
successful," Lyda said. "The goal is to mix healthy living and a
little healthy competition among area businesses."

The two
sponsorship levels are set at $350 and $750 for a company to sign up a certain
number of teams.

Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley will open the ceremonies Thursday
at 12:30 p.m., according to Lyda.

Lyda
said that the following firms and organizations have signed up to take part in
the games so far: Pepsi, Medical West Hospital, Bob Sykes Bar B Q, the Bessemer Area Chamber
of Commerce, First Financial Bank, Todd Paden Realty, The Western Star and Plantation Manor.

Also participating will be the City of Bessemer and the Bessemer Police Department.

For more
information, contact Trisha Galvez, the Legacy membership and wellness
director, at 205-426-1211 or tgalvez@legacyymca.org.